Special Procession Planned to Remember Paramedic Icon

Friday, 27 November 2015 05:43

Tomorrow residents may pay their final respects to a man who dedicated 35 years of this life to saving others.

WOODSTOCK - A special procession is planned to honour the life of Chief of Paramedic Services Joe Pember.

After his sudden passing last Sunday the community has come together to remember the 50 year old man. Deputy Chief of Paramedic Services with Oxford County, Stephen Turner, explains the type of person Pember was. "Joe's known by everybody - his father was the former Mayor of Woodstock. One of the Chiefs from one of the other Paramedic Services described him as an icon. Joe was a mentor and a true leader, his loss will be deeply felt. Our hearts and prayers go out to Joe's family, we know that as much as we are suffering their suffering is even more profound."

Joe had been involved in the paramedic industry for over 35 years, and Turner explains what is expected to happen this weekend. "We will have a full honours funeral: we'll start with a parade from the TA Truck Stop and proceeded to Goff Hall. Goff Hall is where the service will begin, and Goff Hall will be reserved for close friends, family, and service personnel that served with him at Oxford County Paramedics Services."

Turner further explains the breakdown of the ceremony: "The ceremony will conclude with a parade, honour guard, colour guard, pipes and drums, it will be a pretty impressive event to give him the full honours that he deserves."

When asked where people could send donations in lieu of flowers Turner recommended two groups: "I think it would be appropriate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Paramedic Benevolent Fund."

The procession will leave the TA Truck stop at 1:45pm on Saturday with the service to begin at 3pm.

The following is a list of road closures that will be along the parade route from 1:30-4pm.

· Athlone Avenue

· Julianna Drive

· Finkle Street

· Pember’s Pass

· Champlain Avenue

More information and updates about the service can be found at oxfordcounty.ca/Emergency-Services